Clarksville weekly chronicle. (Clarksville, Tenn.) 1873-1890, 1887-10-08

cations OF the island and on the main land
were of formidable character, and so con-
structed that the gunboats could not come
within range Of ono without being subjected
to O concentrated fire from the others.
On the morning Of March 10 tie lombard
nent was begun at distance Of two miles
and half, and IL continued day after day
for three weeks. Tons of iron were hurled
into the Confederate works, but without pro-
ducing any apparent impression. On the 1st
Of April Gen. Be-rregard telegraphed to the
war department u. Richmond that the bonn
bardnent had continued fifteen days, In
which time the enemy had thrown 5000
shells, expanding about 100000 pounds Of
powder, with the result of one man killed
and mono seriously wounded. @Every day."
says southern history of the war, "the NOR
tars continued to boom and the cannen Of
the island replied with dull, sullen roar,
wasting shot and temper alike. The very
birds became accustomed to the artificial
thunder, and alighted upon the branches OF
the trees overbanging the nortars In the sui
phurous smolse.n 1t Is only necessary for one
| 10 realize thu sublime poetry Of war to i'm
| agine adozen Of these monsters thund ring at
once, the air filled with smoke clouds, the
gunboats belciiing out destruction, tho shells
screaming through the air with unearthly
sounds, and the distant guns Of the en- my
sending their solid shot above and around the
island, dashing the water up in glistening col
umns md jets OF spray.
Finding that IL was impossible to capture
the position with artillery, Gen. Halleck or
dered Gen. Pope to ascertain IL 1t were posi-
bic to construct road along the western
bank Of the river through the swamps and
erect batteries opposite the island that could
! cooperate with the fleet. The Federal en-
gineers declared that the plan was not feast
BILE, whereupon q Union resident OF New
Madrid suggested that steamboat canal
might be cut across the promontory. The
thought was at once adopted, and steamers
and light draught boats were sent down
from Cairo with the necessary implements
to prosecute the work. The distance to be
traversed by tho canal was twelve miles; It's
width was to be fifty feet and its depth not
less than four and half feet. One-half Of
its length was to be cut through heavy tim
Der. The remainder OF the canal ran
through stagnant, swampy bayous filled With
tangled brush. "This herculean labor" says
Gen. Pope, Hwas prosecuted with untiring
labor and determination, under exposure and
privations ny unusual even in the history
Of warfare"
RUNNING A GAUNTLET OF FIRE.
At last, on the 4th of April, the canal wss
open aid ready for use. Light transports
could pass through, but there was not depth
evident that the river could not be crossed
| - 1,I,
was accordingly determined to take the terri
BILE risk of running the batteries, and the
gunboat Carondelet, Capt. Walker, was
chosen as the pioneer. The boat was
strengthened by every contrivance that coHld
be devised. The most vulnerable parts were
shielded with rolls OF surplus chains, the
decks were covered with layer of heavy
planlss, and largo hawser was wound
around the pilot house up to the window.
The crew were provided with hand grenadcs
and hose for throwing hot water were Of
taclied to the boilers for the purpose of re-
polling boarders A large coal barge laden
with compact bundles Of hay was also taken
in tow OH the side exposed to the batteries
The machinery was so adjusted as to permit
the escape of steam through the wheelhous;
and thus avoid the usual putting in its pas
sage through the pipes. The night was al
TINT could he desired; the atmosphere hazy
and the start was made. For the first hal
mile all went well. Suddenly the SCOT in til,
chimneys took fire and the fame In their top
aroused the Confederate encanpments. Sig
nal rockets were instantly sent up, the lons
roll sounded and one Of the batteries openet
on the dim apparition drifting By, olmos
within point blank range. Shot now followet
shot in rapid volleys from more than hun
bred guns, and further concealment bein;
out of the question orders were given 20 til,
engineers to drive the boat with all possibl
| speed. AS il the hand of Providence wer
directing, a storm now burst In all its fury
and amid vivid flashes OF lightning and peal
Of thunder, through rain and darkness an,